Former Boxer Holds Two Doctors Hostage Before Escaping

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

On October 3, a tense situation unfolded in Bangkok's Soi Inthamara 29, when a former Thai boxer took two doctors and a woman hostage in a residential home. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Santith, was already wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Tao Pun Police Station for various charges, including nighttime burglary and property damage.

 

The events began when police were executing a plan to arrest Santith in Soi Inthamara 29, near the location of his last known whereabouts. As officers closed in on him, he opened fire to create a distraction, allowing him to escape and evade capture.

 

He jumped over a wall and entered a home at number 274/1, where he took three people hostage—two men and a woman. Fortunately, the woman managed to escape early in the ordeal.

 

Following the hostage situation, the Tao Pun police coordinated with the Bang Sue police and the special operations unit, known as the Hanuman team, to surround the house. Officers attempted to negotiate Santith's surrender while utilizing drones to monitor the area from above.

 

Investigators revealed that Santith, also known by his boxing name "Ritthidet," had a past as a professional boxer and had worked as a trainer. His penchant for firearms raised concerns among authorities about his willingness to resort to violence.

 

Later that evening, police officials including Acting Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet, Metropolitan Police Commander Thiti Saengsawang, and various other high-ranking officers arrived at the scene to oversee the situation.

Around 12:30 AM on October 4, Acting Police Chief Kittirat announced that they had successfully rescued the two doctors held hostage. The doctors, named Dr. Mak, aged 30, and Dr. Chang, aged 31, are siblings and both unharmed during the incident. The woman who had previously escaped was also found to be safe.

 

Despite the successful rescue, Santith managed to flee from the back of the house. As of now, police are actively pursuing leads on his escape route, employing tactical strategies to apprehend him. Authorities assured the public that they were prepared to capture him and bring him to justice. Observations indicated that Santith did not intend to harm anyone; his primary goal appeared to be evading police capture.

 

The entire ordeal has raised concerns about public safety in the area, prompting police to enhance their patrols and investigate any potential connections Santith may have with organized crime. Officials emphasized the importance of vigilance and urged residents to report any suspicious activities.

 

As the manhunt continues, police remain optimistic about capturing Santith. They believe that their investigative tactics and increased police presence in the area will soon lead to his apprehension.

 

The community is relieved that the hostages are safe, but they continue to grapple with the implications of such a dangerous incident occurring so close to home, reported Daily News.

 

In conclusion, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of crime and the constant need for law enforcement vigilance. The police's swift actions ensured the safety of the hostages, and they are committed to bringing the suspect to justice as soon as possible.

 

-- 2024-10-04

 

[Korat Kiwi]

So they surrounded the house with all these 'specialists' and the perp still got away... Amazing. 

[Gottfrid]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

Despite the successful rescue, Santith managed to flee from the back of the house.

That is really professional. Two police stations and the hanuman team let the perp run away. 🤣

 

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

Following the hostage situation, the Tao Pun police coordinated with the Bang Sue police and the special operations unit, known as the Hanuman team, to surround the house.

Apparently a very surrounded house, or do they have Viet Cong tunnels under the house? 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the successful rescue, Santith managed to flee from the back of the house. As of now, police are actively pursuing leads on his escape route, employing tactical strategies to apprehend him

Better tactics required, better than leaving the back door un-guarded?

[Classic Ray]

If they find out where he is again, maybe send someone round the back before raiding the front?

[john donson]

can't they use one of them drones from ukraine with a gun mounted on?

[Stargeezr]

it only took a corrupt cop or two, to dreate a large enough gap for this guy to escape.

We all know how the rich can get away with some stuff that the most of us can not.

TIT, right?

[brianthainess]

On 10/4/2024 at 6:55 AM, webfact said:

His penchant for firearms raised concerns among authorities about his willingness to resort to violence.

Another well planned RTP attempt to arrest someone, what do they do arrive lights and sirens blaring, with no thoughts on securing the rear.

 

On 10/4/2024 at 6:55 AM, webfact said:

Later that evening, police officials including Acting Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet, Metropolitan Police Commander Thiti Saengsawang, and various other high-ranking officers arrived at the scene to oversee the situation.

 

 Well they certainly proved their abilities at making an arrest, None. 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Bangkok cops deliver KO to former Thai boxer after hostage incident
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via ThaiRath

Police today arrested a Thai former boxer who escaped after a theft and held two innocent people hostage in Bangkok last Friday, October 3, in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima province.

 

Officers from Tao Poon Police Station today, October 7, raided the home of 39 year old Santi Jehali, a former Thai boxer, last Friday to arrest him for theft. However, Santi would not surrender and instead fired shots at officers, creating a path for his escape.

 

Santi fled to a house in Soi Inthamara 29, where he took two residents hostage. Although the police successfully rescued the hostages, they were unable to apprehend the suspect. Santi reportedly escaped from the victims’ home through an air vent in the ceiling.

 

His wife, 42 year old Potjanee Boonlong, caused further disruption when she attempted suicide in an abandoned building near the scene. Potjanee then tricked police into driving her away, only to jump out of the vehicle in the Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province.

Potjanee could not flee any further and was arrested by the roadside in Ayutthaya. Police suspect that she caused the chaos to distract them and give her husband a chance to escape. However, Potjanee denied the accusation, claiming she acted out of stress.

 

Officers continued their search for Santi and tracked him to the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok, where he had connections. However, they soon lost his trail.

 

Santi was later located in Nakhon Ratchasima, and police received a tip-off that he was planning to travel to Amnat Charoen province. They set up a checkpoint to monitor suspicious vehicles.

 

A suspicious taxi eventually arrived, with Santi inside. He attempted to flee once again but stumbled and sustained injuries, leading to his arrest.

 

Finally, police apprehended Santi in Nakhon Ratchasima province today. He has now been transferred to Tao Poon Police Station in Bangkok for questioning.

 

UPDATE 1: Former boxer’s wife charged after Bangkok police standoff

A former boxer’s wife faces multiple charges after a dramatic standoff and police chase in Bangkok. The search for her husband continues.

 

Bang Sue police escorted 42 year old Potjanee Boonlong to the Criminal Court today, October 6, seeking a 12-day detention approval. Charged with illegal possession of a gun, carrying it without permission, carrying it in public without a valid reason, illegal detention, and possession of illicit drugs, Potjanee’s legal troubles arise from a series of violent events.

 

Potjanee is married to Santi Jae-arlee, a 39 year old former boxer who broke into a house on Inthamara Soi 29 in Phaya Thai district on October 3 night, evading arrest for theft. When police surrounded the house, where a woman and her two sons were inside, Santi opened fire but managed to escape. The mother had already fled, and the two brothers were safely rescued by the police.

 

Following the incident, Potjanee went to a deserted building near the house her husband had invaded. Learning about her husband’s desperate situation, she threatened to harm herself, prompting a tense two-hour negotiation with the police.

 

Eventually, she fled the building and held a police officer at gunpoint, forcing him to drive towards Wang Noi district in Ayutthaya. She surrendered to the police the following morning.

 

Potjanee apologised for her actions before being taken to court.

 

Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Noppasil Phoonsawat, revealed that Potjanee admitted to taking drugs the day before travelling to Bangkok to see her husband. Her stress levels spiked upon learning about Santi’s flight from the law.

 

During a media briefing, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil displayed a photo of Santi and provided details about the ongoing manhunt. Santi’s break-in and subsequent actions have made him a high-priority target for the police, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil.

 

“The woman admitted to having taken drugs the day before travelling to Bangkok to see her husband. She became stressed after learning that her husband was fleeing arrest.”

 

Two police teams are actively searching for Santi, whose actions have not only endangered his freedom but also brought severe consequences for his wife, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The police remain focused on apprehending Santi.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Bangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages

A former Thai boxer remains at large after evading arrest for theft. The fugitive then went on a rampage in Bangkok’s Phrayathai district, taking two innocent people hostage in the process.

The 39 year old theft suspect, Santi Jehali, began his disturbing behaviour after officers from Tao Poon Police Station raided his home to arrest him yesterday, October 3, at around 7pm. Santi fired shots at the group of police officers to clear a way to escape.

 

Santi fled down Soi Inthamara 29, scaling a wall to hide in the home of a family of four. Two family members managed to escape, but the other two were not as fortunate. Santi held these remaining individuals hostage, firing a gun into the air to warn police officers not to approach.

 

By around 12.15am today, October 4, the police successfully rescued the two hostages. However, Santi eluded capture, escaping from the house through a ceiling vent.

 

As officers continued their search for Santi, his wife became distraught and attempted to shoot herself in an abandoned building nearby. Police, along with rescuers and other relevant officials, managed to dissuade her from harming herself by around 1.45am.

The officers escorted Santi’s wife to a police car to take her to the station. Yet, once inside the vehicle, she threatened the officer driving with a gun, demanding to be taken to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

 

She later exited the police car on Thanyaburi Road in the Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province and fled into a grassy field, again threatening to harm herself. Officers finally calmed her down around 5.50am and took her to hospital for treatment of an injury to her left foot.

 

Santi’s former employer and boxing gym owner, 57 year old Sorrasak Saetang, who was initially called to the scene to help the police pacify Santi’s wife, told officers that Santi was once a renowned boxer, known in the industry as Rittidate Maimueangkhon.

 

After retiring from boxing, Santi became a trainer. However, he developed a theft habit, used drugs, and carried a gun at all times. As a result, Sorrasak had to dismiss him from the gym about five years ago.

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-10-07

 

 

The search for Santi continues.

[PJ71]

Just a normal thai family by the sounds of it - lol.

[hotchilli]

They got him eventually..... list of slips longer than 7-11

[Stargeezr]

I hope the boxer is in jail until he is a very old man. End of career days. IMO